Nov. 25, 1929: The City of Paris department store had already been around more than 75 years when this photo was taken.

Photo: Gabrial Moulin, Special To The Chronicle

Nov. 25, 1929: The City of Paris department store had already been...

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Nov. 29, 1932: City of Paris proprietor Paul Verdier was a fourth generation San Franciscan and descendant of store founder Felix Verdier. Judging by the photos, he was a stylish guy who had a good time. He was 84 when he died in 1966.

Photo: Chronicle Archives

Nov. 29, 1932: City of Paris proprietor Paul Verdier was a fourth...

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April 16, 1940: The City of Paris on its 90th anniversary. The sign on the top of the store changed often. This photo features the classic company logo with the boat and stars. The first store was on a merchant ship in 1850.

Photo: Gabriel Moulin, Special To The Chronicle

April 16, 1940: The City of Paris on its 90th anniversary. The sign...

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The City of Paris department store in San Francisco fourth floor gallery. March 8, 1972.

Photo: Art Frisch, The Chronicle

The City of Paris department store in San Francisco fourth floor...

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July 24, 1974: Looking down from the City of Paris rotunda. I see a pair of socks I might be able to afford ...

Photo: Stephanie Maze, The Chronicle

July 24, 1974: Looking down from the City of Paris rotunda. I see a...

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July 3, 1974: I've spent years watching bicyclists, students and young people leading the protests in San Francisco. So it was a pleasant surprise to find a photo of old rich people getting fired up about something.

Photo: Joe Rosenthal, The Chronicle

July 3, 1974: I've spent years watching bicyclists, students and...

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July 18, 1977: As you can see, there were a lot less people dressed in hats and ties in the latter half of the 1970s. And the City of Paris had developed a more campy Eiffel Tower-themed sign. The end was near ...

Photo: Stephanie Maze, The Chronicle

July 18, 1977: As you can see, there were a lot less people dressed...

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Aug. 18, 1980: The City of Paris department store in San Francisco gets demolished. Neiman Marcus opened two years later.

This week’s Let’s Go to the Morgue! is a request from Jennifer Schick, who sent me a fantastic Oregon postcard with an otter on the front, and the line “You Otter Be Here” on the back. Jennifer says her husband’s grandmother worked at City of Paris, the upscale Union Square department store that opened in 1850 in San Francisco, surviving the earthquake, the Great Depression and countless mimes, before its 73-year-old home at Geary and Stockton was demolished in 1980. Neiman Marcus was built in its place, retaining the rotunda and ornate glass skylight.